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French labor rights and sick leave regulation developments
Overview
France is implementing sweeping reforms to its labor and social security regulations to address record absenteeism and rising costs. Data from the 5th edition of the Observatory of Sick Leave confirms workplace absenteeism reached a historic high of 4.68% in 2025, driven by long-term absences and a 70% surge in “micro-absenteeism” (leaves under three days) since 2022.
To curb costs, which reached 17.9 billion euros in 2025, the government has introduced several restrictive measures. Effective September 1, 2026, Decree No. 2026-498 caps initial sick leave prescriptions at 31 days, with subsequent extensions limited to 62 days. Failure to comply may result in the CPAM refusing daily allowances. Additionally, new measures target “medical nomadism,” where individuals consult multiple doctors to obtain certificates; violators may face sanctions or be required to reimburse allowances.
Further reforms target long-term condition (ALD) compensation. Starting October 15, 2026, the maximum duration for daily indemnity payments for non-exempt ALD patients—those not qualifying for 100% coverage—will be reduced from three years to one year. A transitional regime applies: those already on leave for more than six months by October 15 will remain under the three-year rule, while others will transition to the one-year limit upon reaching their sixth month of incapacity. Serious “exonérantes” ALDs remain eligible for three years of benefits.
Labor Minister Jean-Pierre Farandou has proposed a structural reform to save one billion euros, aiming to “spend less and spend better” by reducing short-term protections while increasing support for the vulnerable. Social partners have been called to reach an agreement by December 19.
Entities
France · Assurance Maladie · French government · Jean-Pierre Farandou · Groupe APICIL
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The government stated that the rising costs of sick leave are unsustainable.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The average duration of sick leave for 35-39 year olds increased from 27 to 31 days between 2012 and 2023.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Starting September 1, initial sick leave prescriptions are capped at a maximum of 31 days.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Sick leave extensions are capped at a maximum of 62 days.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The CPAM may refuse to pay daily allowances if the new prescription rules are not respected.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The sick leave cap is expected to generate 10 million euros in annual savings.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The French government is preparing new reductions to sickness benefits paid by Health Insurance.
- [● 2 SOURCES] A new decree will reduce the maximum compensation duration for certain long-term conditions from three years to one year.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Conseil d'État validated two decrees on September 9, 2026, aimed at strengthening sick leave controls.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] New rules will target 'medical nomadism' by sanctioning individuals who consult multiple doctors to obtain various sick leaves.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] In 2024, 13,000 insured individuals received five sick leaves from five different general practitioners.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Non-exempt long-term sick leaves cost the Health Insurance 3.2 billion euros for 400,000 people in 2023.
Timeline
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[BUSINESS] 2 sourcesFrance reports record absenteeism and rising employee representation
France saw record absenteeism of 4.68% in 2025, driven by long-term illness and mental health issues, while employee representation in companies showed a slight recovery in 2024.
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[POLITICS] 2 sourcesFrance proposes sick leave reform to save €1 billion
France's Labor Minister Jean-Pierre Farandou has proposed a sick leave reform to save €1 billion by reducing protection for short-term absences and increasing support for long-term illnesses.
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[BUSINESS] 6 sourcesRising sick leave trends prompt policy discussions in Italy and France
Rising sick leave rates in Italy and France are driving policy discussions, with Italy seeing a doubling of musculoskeletal leave and France proposing reforms to curb costs and protect long-term workers.
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[POLITICS] 2 sourcesFrance to reform sick leave and long-term illness benefits
France will implement sick leave reforms on October 15, 2026, reducing maximum daily allowances from three years to one year for certain long-term illnesses not covered at 100% by health insurance.
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[BUSINESS] 2 sourcesFrance to reduce long-term sick leave indemnity duration
Starting October 15, 2026, France will reduce the maximum duration of daily indemnity payments for certain long-term illnesses from three years to one year.
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[POLITICS] 6 sourcesFrance to reduce sick leave compensation duration for certain workers
Starting October 15, 2026, France will reduce the maximum duration of sick leave compensation from three years to one year for certain employees with long-term conditions not fully covered by Health Insurance.
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[BUSINESS] 3 sourcesFrance workplace absenteeism reaches historic high of 4.68% in 2025
France's workplace absenteeism hit a record 4.68% in 2025, driven by an increase in long-term leaves and a sharp rise in micro-absenteeism of less than three days.
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[POLITICS] 8 sourcesFrance implements new restrictions on sick leave benefits
The French government is tightening sick leave rules, including capping initial prescriptions and reducing indemnity durations for certain long-term illnesses, amid calls for significant budget savings.
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[POLITICS] 5 sourcesFrance to tighten sick leave rules and reduce compensation
The French government is introducing decrees to curb sick leave costs by targeting “medical nomadism” and reducing compensation duration for certain long-term absences from three years to one.
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[POLITICS] 2 sourcesFrance to implement new birth leave and sick leave rules in 2026
France will implement a new supplementary birth leave in 2026, offering up to two months of compensated rest for parents, alongside new limits on sick leave duration starting in September 2026.
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[POLITICS] 11 sourcesFrance implements new limits on sick leave duration
Starting September 1, France will implement new caps on sick leave duration. Initial prescriptions are limited to 31 days, with extensions capped at 62 days, to curb rising social security costs.
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[POLITICS] 6 sourcesFrance to implement new sick leave prescription limits
France will introduce new caps on sick leave prescriptions starting September 1, 2026, limiting initial leaves to 31 days and extensions to 62 days, unless medical justification is provided.
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[POLITICS] 4 sourcesFrance marks 90 years of paid leave and implements new sick leave rights
France celebrates the 90th anniversary of paid leave through national campaigns while navigating new laws that grant employees paid leave during sick leave, a right many employers have yet to implement.
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[BUSINESS] 3 sourcesFrance updates regulations for 2025 Solidarity Day
France is updating regulations for the 2025 Solidarity Day, requiring full-time employees to contribute 7 additional unpaid hours to fund support for the elderly and disabled.
Sources
24matins.fr · actu.fr · agipi.com · aqui.fr · aucoeurdelavie.fr · avoise.mairie72.fr · bienpublic.com · business-et-finances.com · capital.fr · cpformation.com · cryptoast.fr · culture-rh.com · dhnet.be · DNA.fr · economiematin.fr · econostrum.info · emarketerz.fr · entrevue.fr · epochtimes.fr · esteval.fr · focom-laposte.fr · fr.businessam.be · gentside.com · insightmag.com · jhm.fr · Lalsace.fr · larepubliquedespyrenees.fr · lenouveleconomiste.fr · leprogres.fr · lesjourneesmondiales.fr · meteojob.com · moneyvox.fr · nextplz.fr · notretemps.com · nouvelles-du-monde.com · ocio.diariodeibiza.es · parismatch.be · politiquematin.fr · presse-citron.net · presseagence.fr · ressourcesmagazine.fr · santemagazine.fr · sbircialanotizia.it · sudradio.fr · tahitinews.co · tvsudmagazine.fr · valeursactuelles.com · vivamagazine.fr
This summary has been updated 13 times: see revision history